QUAD screen (quadruple test, quadruple screen, 4-test screen)

Indications: 1) preliminary screening test in pregnancy. 2) assesses risk of Down Syndrome & neural tube defects 3) 15th-20th weeks of pregnancy Interpretation: - the test is a mathematical calculation using 4 laboratory tests: a) serum AFP b) serum hCG c) serum unconjugated estriol d) serum inhibin A (addition to triple screen) - & considerations of maternal age, weight, race, & diabetic status - these are used to calculate risk of Down Syndrome & other chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus - a high serum AFP suggests a neural tube defect

References

Triple Screen Lab Tests Online: afp_maternal

Components

alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum/plasma choriogonadotropin in serum/plasma estriol in serum unconjugated inhibin A in serum